Opening the discussion, Chief Superintendent Karafa Jatta, Officer Commanding PIU Kerewan, explained that the visit by the joint task force was peaceful and intended to support the island villages. He noted that irregular migrants often use Jinak as a route to Europe and urged the community to work collectively to protect the reputation of their village. He stressed that most migrants passing through Jinak are foreign nationals, and the role of the task force is to remove uninvited individuals. Jatta warned that law enforcement would be applied if villagers failed to show commitment in tackling what he described as a life-threatening crisis.
Community representative Bafoday Manneh welcomed the mission, describing it as an accomplishment for the village. He pledged collaboration with authorities, noting that migration organisers employ hidden tactics often unknown to village leaders.
Officer Commanding Ebrima Jawara of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency explained that while his mandate is to combat drug trafficking, his mission in Jinak was focused on deterring irregular migration. He revealed that boats leaving Jinak’s shores were not built locally but by foreign organisers profiting from human trafficking. Jawara cited a captured boat carrying 200 migrants, each of whom reportedly paid at least D50,000. He said the organisers become millionaires while villagers lose wealth and loved ones at sea.
Immigration Department representative Dampha, a regular visitor to Jinak, emphasised the dangers of irregular migration and urged villagers to account for strangers in their community. He advised the Village Development Committee (VDC) to work closely with authorities to ensure foreign nationals regularise their status.
Officer Commanding Barra Division, Basiru Touray, echoed similar sentiments and addressed concerns about nine natives arrested for alleged involvement in the trafficking business. He assured the community that the men were in good condition and their case was before the courts. Touray urged villagers not to sacrifice their dignity for an enterprise that brings them little benefit.
Council elder Ousman Manneh confirmed ongoing engagement with authorities, noting that efforts to stop the influx of outsiders had been hampered by limited resources. VDC Chairman Amadou Manneh expressed concern about divisions within the village, revealing that some residents believed the VDC had acted as informants, leading to the arrest of the nine men. He appealed for their release.
VDC member Sarjo Manneh described the situation as unfortunate and regrettable, promising that the village would not repeat the mistake of accommodating outsiders whose actions tarnished its image.
Former police officer and native Modou Manneh sought assistance from authorities in locating a boat that departed on 17 December 2025 and has not been traced. He also appealed for the release of the nine detained villagers. Other community members, including Arabiatou Jammeh and Imam Omar Manneh, pleaded for their release, stressing that the men were vital to village development.
Alkalo Mamadou Manneh pledged cooperation with police, promising to deploy men to search the bushes and expel would-be migrants. On the other side of the island, Alkalo Abubacarr Bojang of Jinak Nigi assured authorities of his community’s commitment to ending the menace.
Other speakers, including Yusupha Bojang, Talib T. Bojang, and Buba Camara, expressed gratitude for the visit and pledged full support to the security sector in combating irregular migration.
